Drain relief valve

ABSTRACT

A drain relief valve to prevent water or sewage from backing up into a house or other building and overflowing plumbing fixtures resulting from a clogged drain comprising, a one-way valve attached to the drain exteriorly of the building having a ball therein which is moved off the seat by increased fluid pressure in the drain pipe resulting from a clogged drain to allow excess fluid to flow through the one-way valve exteriorly of the house or building.

United States Patent inventor Leroy H. Rousselet 2745 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, Tex. 75204 Appl. No. 836,180 Filed June 24, 1969 Patented Sept. 7, 1971 DRAIN RELIEF VALVE 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 137/357, 137/533. 1 3, 52/198, 52/302 Int. Cl F161 5/02, F16k 15/04 Field of Search 4/21 1; 137/355, 6, 7, 533.00, 533.1 1, 533.13, 533.19; 52/98, 302

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,505,695 8/1924 Boyd 137/533. 19 X 2,332,787 10/1943 Fleming l37/533.l3 3,444,881 5/1969 Harper 137/5331) X 3,466,671 9/1969 Siposs 137/533.l3 X

Primary Examinerl-lenry T. Klinksiek Attorneys-Howard E. Moore and Gerald G. Crutsinger ABSTRACT: A drain relief valve to prevent water or sewage from backing up into a house or other building and overflowing plumbing fixtures resulting from a clogged drain comprising, a one-way valve attached to the drain exteriorly of the building having a ball therein which is moved off the seat by increased fluid pressure in the drain pipe resulting from a clogged drain to allow excess fluid to flow through the one way valve exteriorly of the house or building.

' DRAIN RELIEF VALVE This invention relates to a drain relief valve, the principal purpose and object of which is to direct the backwater flow of a drain system, being part of the plumbing in a building or structure, to the outside or exterior of such building or structure and thereby relieve obstructed or stopped drains.

An additional and further object and purpose is to aid in the prevention of water or drain water damage to the interior of a building or structure.

Another object and purpose of the valve is to allow the early detection of obstructions in plumbing drain pipes in buildings or structures.

Another object is to provide a device designed to effect the above described objects and purposes that may be readily and easily installed as an attachment to existing plumbing in the building or structure.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which are hereafter referred to and defined, the invention resides in the design, and the combination and arrangement of the parts of the hereinafter described apparatus such description being that the valve is composed of a beveled cut bushing, a ball, a gasket, and a cage retainer for the ball, all parts being concealed by a cover. The ball rests on the gasket which is attached to the bushing. When obstruction become present effective to cause a stoppage in the drain line, the backwater pressure lifts the ball and permits the drain water to flow to the outside of the structure or building. In the event the stoppage is temporary, the normal drain flow will return and the ball returns to its normal position forming a seal. In the event the stoppage should continue, then the overflow can be visually detected and proper cleanout can be effected. The cover serves a dual purpose in that it causes the water or drain materials to be directed to the ground. The ball seating mechanism is such that the overflow causes a tumbling action which encourages self-cleaning of the stopped or obstructed drain lines. The gasket, being attached to only the flat upper portion of the bushing, permits a springlike tension against the weight of the ball the thereby forms an effective seal at the level of the bushing. The seal is adequate to prevent the escape of obnoxious or distasteful odors that may be present in the drainage pipe.

The valve may be installed at a low point on the drain system and normal installation may be done with the use of a T and a nipple thus leaving the cleanout valve accessible and intact. The valve may be installed on any plumbing system with the minor plumbing adaptation.

In the plumbing trade a drain system using horizontal and vertical pipes is installed in a building or other structure. The vertical pipes are usually called drain stacks or vent stacks." The horizontal lines between or under the floors are called lateral lines. Cleanout openings or access openings are installed on the outside so that stoppages or obstructions may be removed through entry into the lines. Normally stoppages occur in the lateral drain. Stopped drain materials will back up into the lowest fixture. Physical damage to walls, floors, coverings thereon as well as other parts of buildings or structure can occur as a result of such stoppage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an elevation, partly in section, of the relief drain valve.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a relief drain valve in a house drain.

A threaded hex bushing 8 with a machined inside bevel is drilled on two sides, to accept cage mount fasteners 7, screws, rivets or other suitable means of assembly. A gasket 6 of suitable material for example, neoprene, is attached to the upper surface material. The gasket 6 is allowed to extend over the bevel cut portion of the hex bushing so as to allow a deter mined amount of natural pressure against the hex bushing 8 and the ball 5 when the valve is in a closed position. The cage assembly 3 is of suitable metal, plastic or other material acceptable to various plumbing codes. It IS formed of two longer extending members which are drilled or punched to accept cage mount fasteners 7 and two shorter extending members of a length sufficient to entrap the ball 5 when the cage assembly is mounted to the hex bushing 8. The two shorter members are formed to fit the inside of the cover 3. The cage assembly 4, cover 3 and identifications plate 2 are drilled or'punched to accept cover screw which secures identification plate 2 and cover 3 to cage assembly 4.

I claim:

1. A plumbing system including a lateral drain line and an extension of said lateral drain line extending outwardly of the wall of a building, a one-way valve attached to the extension, said one-way valve including a tubular member attached to the extension, a seat therein in the wall of the tubular member, a ball slightly larger than the seat, a cage surrounding the ball to guide the ball to and from the seat; and a closure member for closing the tubular member outwardly of the set.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a deflector member about the cage to deflect fluid toward a tubular member.

3. A one-way valve comprising a tubular memberhaving a seat therein, a ball slightly larger than the seat; a cage surrounding the ball and secured to the tubular member to guide the ball to and from the seat; and means arranged about the cage for deflecting fluid flowing from the tubular member backwardly toward the seat.

4. A valve as claimed in claim 3 in which the seat is of a rubberlike material.

5. A valve as claimed in claim 3 in which the tubular member has means for mounting same in an outlet from an enclosed space.

6. A valve as claimed in claim 3 in which the cover is secured to the cage. 

1. A plumbing system including a lateral drain line and an extension of said lateral drain line extending outwardly of the wall of a building, a one-way valve attached to the extension, said one-way valve including a tubular member attached to the extension, a seat therein in the wall of the tubular member, a ball slightly larger than the seat, a cage surrounding the ball to guide the ball to and from the seat; and a closure member for closing the tubular member outwardly of the set.
 2. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a deflector member about the cage to deflect fluid toward a tubular member.
 3. A one-way valve comprising a tubular member having a seat therein, a ball slightly larger than the seat; a cage surrounding the ball and secured to the tubular member to guide the ball to and from the seat; and means arranged about the cage for deflecting fluid flowing from the tubular member backwardly toward the seat.
 4. A valve as claimed in claim 3 in which the seat is of a rubberlike material.
 5. A valve as claimed in claim 3 in which the tubular member has means for mounting same in an outlet from an enclosed space.
 6. A valve as claimed in claim 3 in which the cover is secured to the cage. 